Shoftim 5770-2010
"Enmity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we once again encounter the concept of the City of Refuge. It is to the City of Refuge that an…
Genesis,Weekly Message,Mishpatim
Mishpatim 5771-2011
"Protecting the Rights of a Wife" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, we encounter the law of the Hebrew maidservant, which we have already discussed…
Acharei Mot 5771-2011
"The Unfathomable Practice of Molech Worship" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Leviticus 18, the last chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Acharei Mot, we encounter a long list of…
Pinchas 5771-2011
"'Pinchas'--What’s in a Name?" Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, we learn that G-d praises Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aaron the Priest, for…
Re’eh 5772-2012
“The Gift of Self Esteem” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, contains many fascinating themes. Among the most fascinating and challenging are the laws…
Vayeira 5775-2014
“One Woman’s Cry” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, we read the well-known biblical narrative regarding the destruction of the evil cities of Sodom…
Mishpatim 5775-2015
“Injuring a Fellow Human Being” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 63 mitzvot that are found in this week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, are the fundamental laws regarding personal…
Kee Teitzei 5777-2017
“Lessons from the Wayward Son” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, we learn of the law of the “Ben soh’rayr oo’moh’reh,” בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה ,…
Mishpatim 5778-2018
“Heaven Made Me Do It!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, serves as the basis of the Hebrew system of jurisprudence. It is the fourth most numerous…
Kedoshim,Acharei Mot,Weekly Message
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5767-2007
"Beards and Payos" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, instructions are given regarding "kosher barbering etiquette": the…